Image: Bradley Photos
Kris Lees’ season is about to get even more festive in Gosford.
Kind Words is a mare with a number of ‘should haves’ under her belt and is making one for her this summer after taking her second win in a row and adding group three to her name in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes.
Starting from the tricky barrier ten from the start at 1600 meters in Gosford, jockey Tom Sherry pushed the five-year-old forward in the early stages before pulling back the pace midway through the race.
Kind Words ($#) had to settle for three wide and make a run as they stood up. Kind Words ($#) was strong enough to hold off Hyperbolic ($#) by a leading margin, while Chica Mojito ($#) finished third ¾ lengths away.
A step back in distance ultimately had no negative consequences for the mare’s performance.
“It was a tough win,” said Kris Lees stable representative Cameron Swan.
“Everything worked out because we turned our arm early and ended up in a nice spot. She finished well.
“Although she was in a nice positive situation, she misses that real turn of the foot over a mile.
“She probably should have won a Queensland Oaks where she had a really torrid run and she went really well, so it’s good for her to get this win in group three. This preparation has really shown her what she’s made of.”
Kind Words achieved a career race and sports score of 102 in her last start win at Rosehill over 2000 meters on December 7, which was also her first win since October 2024.
Kind Words’ record now stands at four wins and eight placings in 27 starts.
Kris Lees recorded his second success in the race after Hidden Wonder in 2010, while this was Sherry’s third victory in the past five editions.
Of his last 25 starters prior to this event, Lees’ stable had 32% winners over the Christmas period.
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